it all depends on your experience and that of your teammates. I climbed Mont Blanc 3 times on different routes without a guide. But I was always either in good company or I was sufficiently experienced to take a friend with me.

The Normal route (Gouter Hut) up and down is not too technical, but you definitely need:- a partner to get roped to- experience in snow and ice, cold, dark & narrow ridges- good shape/condition & previous acclimatisation- timely reservations for the hut if you want to stay there- an early corssing o fthe bowling alley, which has proved lethal in recent years (rockfall).

It is a beautiful climb and the views from the summit are usually stunning. But it is not for beginners, unless you take a guide. In the Alps the guides are protected, so you need a licensed UIAGM guide and they are costsly. Besides, on all 3 trips I have seen several 'bad' guides, either dragging the clients up or down, making them give up, so the guide can come down quickly or even put them in danger. So please do check out your guide service carefuly.

Enjoy and share the photos here!

Cheers, Harry

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"He who climbs upon the highest mountains laughs at all tragedies, real or imaginary." -- Friedrich Nietzsche